Authors : Anyaegbu Uchechukwu Godwin; Umunna, Chetachi C.

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 6 - June

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/czzth369

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/yc8fkxxt

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jun1767

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : This paper examines the impact of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria, the challenges limiting its effectiveness, and a comparative analysis with South Korea's successful TVET system, which has significantly contributed to its industrial and economic transformation. Using a qualitative approach based on document analysis of policy reports, academic literature, and case studies, the study identifies key weaknesses in Nigeria's TVET system, including inadequate funding, outdated curricula, weak industry linkages, poor infrastructure, and negative societal perceptions. In contrast, South Korea's TVET success is attributed to strong public-private partnerships, sustained government investment, skills development levies, performance-based funding, a dual training system, curriculum modernization, and robust infrastructure. The paper argues that Nigeria can reposition its TVET system by adopting and adapting these strategies within its socio-economic context. The study concludes that a coordinated multistakeholder approach involving government, industry, and individuals is essential for transforming Nigeria's TVET sector into a driver of sustainable development, employment generation, and educational security.

Keywords : Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET); Nigeria; South Korea; Educational Security; Skills Development; Curriculum Reform; Public-Private Partnerships; Meister Schools; Youth Unemployment; National Development; Comparative Case Study.

References :

1. Akanbi, G. O. (2017). Prospects for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria: Bridging the gap between policy document and implementation. The International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 16(2), 1–15. https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/index.php/IEJ
2. Akhuemonkhan, I. A., & Raimi, L. (2013). Impact of quality assurance on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270160060
3. Allen, J. E. (2020). Challenges and prospect of vocational technical education and training in tertiary institution in South-South, Nigeria. Vocational and Technical Education Journal, 2(1), 275. https://acjol.org/index.php/votej/article/download/397/378
4. Aubry, S. (2016). Technical and vocational education and training (TVET): The promise and the product. Education International. https://www.ei-ie.org/en/item/21336:technical-and-vocational-education-and-training-tvet-the-promise-and-the-product
5. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
6. Choi, S., & Lee, M. (2022). Flexible pathways in vocational education: South Korea's modular approach to lifelong learning. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 74(2), 210–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2021.2014367
7. Federal Ministry of Information, Nigeria. (2026, April 24). FG unveils bold education, skills and creative economy reforms at UniAbuja Dialogue, driving future-ready opportunities for Nigerian youth. https://fmino.gov.ng/fg-unveils-bold-education-skills-and-creative-economy-reforms-at-uniabuja-dialogue-driving-future-ready-opportunities-for-nigerian-youth/
8. Hasanah, S. (2023). What is TVET? Here's an overview. Digiformag. https://www.digiformag.com/en/regulation/what-is-tvet
9. Inter-American Development Bank. (n.d.). Skills and work: Knowledge sharing forum on development experiences: Comparative experiences of Korea and Latin America. https://publications.iadb.org/pt/metadata/12259/skills-work-knowledge-sharing-forum-development-experiences-comparative-experiences-korea-and-latin
10. International Labour Organization (ILO). (2020). Global Employment Trends for Youth 2020: Technology and the future of jobs. https://www.ilo.org/global/publications/books/WCMS_737648/lang--en/index.htm
11. International Labour Organization (ILO). (2023). Korea showcases TVET digitalization to South-East Asian counterparts. https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/korea-showcases-tvet-digitalization-south-east-asian-counterparts
12. Kim, Y., & Jung, H. (2021). Competency-based vocational education in South Korea: Policies and practices for workforce alignment. International Journal of Educational Development, 84, 102408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2021.102408
13. Koce, H. D. (2025). Industry 4.0 and youth empowerment: A TVET framework for fostering entrepreneurship and digital innovation in Nigeria. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Business and Entrepreneurship (ICSBE 2025) (pp. 278–291). Springer.
14. Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training (KRIVET). (2014). Current status and tasks of vocational education and training in Korea. https://www.krivet.re.kr
15. Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training (KRIVET). (2022). Future-ready skills: Digital transformation in Korean TVET. http://www.krivet.re.kr
16. Ladan, I. A. (2023). Deterioration of vocational education in Nigerian secondary schools: An overview from the human resource perspective. Current Perspectives in Educational Research, 6(1), 19–31. https://cuperjournal.org
17. Lasisi, S. A., Owolabi, S. O., & Sabitu, M. T. (2025). Enhancing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for sustainable national security and national development in Nigeria. Kano Journal of Education, 13(1). https://www.ajol.info/index.php/kje/article/view/292579
18. Leadership. (2024, October 3). Inadequate funding, staffing affecting NBTE activities, ES tells NASS. Leadership Newspapers. https://leadership.ng/inadequate-funding-staffing-affecting-nbte-activities-es-tells-nass/
19. Lee, B., & Kim, K. (2014). The evolution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) policy in Korea. Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET). https://www.krivet.re.kr
20. Lee, H., Kim, J., & Park, S. (2023). Greening TVET: South Korea's approach to sustainable vocational education. Sustainability, 15(3), 105–128. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15031105
21. Lee, J. (2016). Meister schools in Korea: An innovation in vocational education and training. UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. https://unevoc.unesco.org/e-forum/Meister_Schools_in_Korea_UNEVOC.pdf
22. MacLean, R., & Wilson, D. N. (Eds.). (2009). International handbook of education for the changing world of work: Bridging academic and vocational education. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5281-1
23. National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB). (n.d.). FAQs. https://nabteb.gov.ng/faqs/
24. NES Group. (2017). 23rd Nigerian Economic Summit report: Opportunities, productivity and employment – Actualizing the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. https://www.nesgroup.org/index.php/download_greenbooks/NES23RD-REPORT-Updated-_1566476158.pdf#18
25. NYSC SAED Programme. (2026). Skills Acquisition & Entrepreneurship Development Programme. Youth in Development Portal, Federal Ministry of Youth Development. https://yid.fmyd.gov.ng/nysc-saed-skills-acquisition-entrepreneurship-development-programme/
26. OECD. (2012). Korea: Improving the relevance, quality and equity of vocational education and training. https://www.oecd.org/education/skills-beyond-school/Improving-VET-Korea.pdf
27. OECD. (2014). Best way to resolve issue of skills-jobs mismatch, "Work-Learning Dual System". https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/best-way-to-resolve-issue-of-skills-jobs-mismatch-work-learning-dual-system/
28. Okoye, R., & Arimonu, M. O. (2016). Technical and vocational education in Nigeria: Issues, challenges and a way forward. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(3), 114–118.
29. Olisa, J. A., & Ogbe, E. G. (2025). Investigating the effectiveness of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in mitigating unemployment in Delta State. International Journal of Research, 12(12). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18044737
30. Oviawe, J. I. (2020). Strategies for funding Technical Vocational Education and Training for achieving sustainable national development in Nigeria in a post-oil boom economy. Vietnam Journal of Education, 4(2), 4–12.
31. Park, J., & Kim, H. (2020). Bridging the skills gap: The role of industry-academia collaboration in South Korea's TVET system. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 72(3), 345–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2020.1760337
32. Park, J. Y., & Lee, J. (2025). Advancing secondary vocational education system: A case study of Korea's Meister High School. In Education Policy and Reform in Asia. Springer. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-032-04410-5_5
33. Pyo, D., & Hyun, J. (2024, July 31). The future is skilled: Bridging the gap in ASEAN with TVET mobility. The ASEAN Magazine. https://theaseanmagazine.asean.org/article/the-future-is-skilled-bridging-the-gap-in-asean-with-tvet-mobility/
34. Ra, S., Chin, B., & Liu, A. (2019). Skills development for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Insights from South Korea's vocational education reforms. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/skills/pubs/WCMS_723190/lang--en/index.htm
35. Ryu, K. (2017). Strengthening the Korean TVET system through demand-driven governance reforms. TVET@Asia, (8). https://tvet-online.asia/8/ryu/
36. Scott, O. C. (2025, October 13). Unemployment in Nigeria: Bridging the gap between education and industry needs. Daily Trust. https://dailytrust.com/unemployment-in-nigeria-bridging-the-gap-between-education-and-industry-needs/
37. TheCable. (2025, September 8). NABTEB to validate 26 technical trade syllabi in TVET reform. TheCable. https://www.thecable.ng/nabteb-to-validate-26-technical-trade-syllabi-in-tvet-reform/
38. The Guardian. (2025, November 5). NECA, ITF empower 75 youths through ICT academy. The Guardian. https://guardian.ng/news/nigeria/metro/neca-itf-empower-75-youths-through-ict-academy/
39. The Sun. (2026, January 6). NBTE strengthens certificate security, integrity in TVET institutions. The Sun Nigeria. https://thesun.ng/nbte-strengthens-certificate-security-integrity-in-tvet-institutions/
40. Tribune Online. (2025, July 3). How TVET students will access monthly stipends — Bugaje, NABTE boss. Tribune Online. https://tribuneonlineng.com/how-tvet-students-will-access-monthly-stipends-bugaje-nabte-boss/
41. TVET Journal. (2023). The benefits of TVET: Why Technical and Vocational Education and Training is a smart choice. https://tvetjournal.com/tvet-systems/benefits-of-tvet/
42. Uduafemhe, M. E. (2025, April 16). How TVET can reduce insecurity in Nigeria [LinkedIn post]. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maxwell-uduafemhe_technicaleducation-tvetsolutions-nigeriasecurity-activity-7318517333650563073-vuTq
43. UNESCO. (2015). Unleashing the potential: Transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000233031
44. UNESCO. (2016). Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) (2016–2021). https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000245239
45. UNESCO. (2019). Leveraging technology to support TVET and skills development: South Korea country report. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000371245
46. UNESCO Beirut. (2023). Technical and vocational education and training (TVET). https://www.unesco.org/en/fieldoffice/beirut/tvet
47. UNESCO-UNEVOC. (2018). TVET country profile: South Korea. https://unevoc.unesco.org/wtdb/worldtvetdatabase_kor_en.pdf
48. World Bank. (2013). Skills, not just diplomas: Managing education for results in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/2246
49. World Bank. (2025). IDEAS-TVET initiative: Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills. https://www.moe.gm.gov.ng
50. Yin, R. K. (2014). Case study research: Design and methods (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
51. Zenodo. (2025). Public-private partnerships in TVET: A sustainable model for funding and skill development in Nigeria's challenging economy. Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/records/15869658